MCPHERSON, Kan. - The shots would not fall for the Hutchinson Salthawks Thursday as the Blue Valley West Jaguars used a strong defensive first quarter to upset the Hutchinson Salthawks in the first round of the McPherson Invitational Tournament Thursday afternoon to come away with a 53 to 42 win.
The biggest surprise was the Salthawks not being able to score a point in the first quarter as Blue Valley West jumped out to a 13-0 lead after one quarter of play.
Hutchinson cut the Jaguar lead down to six in the second quarter to trail 23-16 at the half.
But Blue Valley West took all the momentum that the Salthawks had built to outscore the Salthawks 17-9 in the third and then built a 15 point lead that Hutchinson could not respond to.
The Salthawks made a final run to pull within five points late thanks to two Lamar Govain three point baskets, but the Jags shut the door by knocking down free throws to earn the win.
Hutchinson was led in scoring by Taishaun Govain's 15 points and Lamar Govain's 10 point afternoon. Terrell King added 7 but was held to 1 for 13 shooting on the day.
Blue Valley West was led by Brandon Kirk with 13 points and Kade Wysong and Aiden Adams both scored 8.
Hutch High will now match up with Wichita East at 3pm today in the consolation bracket.
Blue Valley West will take on St. James Academy who defeated East in the game prior to the Salthawk vs Jaguar contest. St. James is coached by former Medicine Lodge, HutchCC and Newman stand out Stan Dohm.